Boda Boda Uprising? Riders Threaten Nationwide Protests Over “Punitive” Motorcycle Law

Boda boda riders in Kenya are very angry. They say a new law being discussed in Parliament could destroy their way of life. Now, they are threatening to hold protests across the country. 

This new motorcycle regulation bill is being looked at by the Parliamentary Committee on Transport. But riders say it is unfair, too complex, and could hurt their business. 

The Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya, which represents many riders, went to speak to the committee. They did not hold back. They said the bill is “punitive” and “retrogressive.” That means it could punish riders and take the country backwards. 

In a detailed statement, the association said the bill is full of problems. They said it would create too much paperwork, make it more expensive to operate, and bring more confusion instead of solutions. 

One major complaint is that the bill wants to form 47 Motorcycle Transport and Safety Boards, one in each county. Riders think this is unnecessary and could open the door to more corruption. 

The bill also wants all riders to be part of a SACCO (a savings and credit group). But many riders feel this is being forced on them. They say it should be a choice, not a law. 

According to the Association, this new law would double the work of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA). They feel it weakens the roles of county governments, who already help manage the sector. 

The association believes the bill is not solving any real problems. “The bill is a solution in search of a problem,” they said during the meeting. 

They also warned that if the law is passed, it will increase costs for boda boda riders, slow down business, and hurt the economy. Many riders depend on this work to feed their families. 

But not everyone in Parliament agrees. Some MPs still support the bill. They asked riders not to reject the whole law, but to give ideas for changes. 

“You have an opportunity to shape laws that work for you. Don’t dismiss the bill entirely,” said Bureti MP Komingoi Kibet. 

Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri also spoke up. He agreed that some parts of the bill are troubling. He said it’s better to improve the NTSA than to create new systems that do the same thing. 

Security was another big issue discussed. Some MPs said motorcycles are sometimes used in crime, including drug dealing and attacks on people. 

MPs Abdi Saney and Hussein Weytan raised these concerns. They said boda bodas have helped criminals in some areas and that this must be addressed. 

To help with this, the Inspector-General of Police suggested a new coordination committee. This would include the NTSA, police, county governors, and boda boda groups. 

The goal of this group would be to work together on better safety rules and make sure they are followed. 

However, many riders still feel left out of the process. They believe decisions are being made without listening to them. 

Riders have already started sharing their frustrations on social media. Many have warned that they will protest in the streets if the bill is passed without serious changes. 

They say they are not against rules. What they want is fairness, respect, and real consultation. 

For now, the debate continues in Parliament. But the pressure is rising. Will the government listen? Or will thousands of boda boda riders take to the streets in protest? 

Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: Kenya’s boda boda sector is ready to fight for its future.